Epilepsy: Extratemporal Cortical Resection

• What is an extratemporal cortical resection?
• Who is a candidate for extratemporal cortical resection?
• What happens before surgery?
• What happens during surgery?
• What happens after surgery?
• How effective is extratemporal cortical resection?
• What are the side effects?
• What are the risks?

The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum, is divided into four paired sections, called lobes--the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes. Each lobe controls a specific group of activities. With temporal lobe epilepsy, which is the most common type of epilepsy in teens and adults, the area where the seizures start--called the seizure focus--is located within the temporal lobe. However, seizures can start in any portion of the cerebral cortex, the outer layer (gray matter) of the cerebrum.

What Is an Extratemporal Cortical Resection?
An extratemporal cortical resection is an operation to resect, or cut away, brain tissue that contains a seizure focus. Extratemporal means the tissue is located in an area of the brain other than the temporal lobe. The frontal lobe is the most common extratemporal site for seizures. In some cases, tissue may be removed from more than one area/lobe of the brain.

Who Is a Candidate for Extratemporal Cortical Resection?
Extratemporal cortical resection may be an option for people with epilepsy whose seizures are disabling and/or not controlled by medications, or when the side effects of the medication are severe and significantly affect the person's quality of life. In addition, it must be possible to remove the brain tissue that contains the seizure focus without causing damage to areas of the brain responsible for vital functions, such as movement, sensation, language and memory.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Seizure (Epilepsy) - Learn about epilepsy, or seizure disorder. Causes include head injury, trauma, prenatal injury, poisoning, medications, stroke, heart attacks, alcoholism, infection, and more. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information is included in the information.

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